Wednesday, April 14, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (Bernama) -- Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia on Tuesday issued a stern warning to Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) for threatening fellow member of parliament M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat).Pandikar Amin said he had called up the two MPs and asked them to explain the incident."As a speaker, I have issued a stern warning to the Pasir Salak MP to no longer disturb the Ipoh Barat MP," he said after question time in the Dewan Rakyat.Kulasegaran claimed on Thursday that Tajuddin had threatened to assault him at parliament lobby for having allegedly tarnished his name.Tajuddin claimed that Kulasegaran had been using his blog to spread lies and tarnish his name.Pandikar Amin said during the meeting, he had advised both MPs to take into account the integrity of parliament in their actions."I thank Ipoh Barat MP for accepting my view positively and he agreed not to demand that Pasir Salak MP be referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee," he said.He also urged members to maintain decorum at all times.Pandikar Amin also said he received a letter from Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas) who wanted to refer Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PKR-Machang) to the Rights and Privileges Committee for claiming that he (Ibrahim) owned shares in gambling-related companies."I have not called up both MPs but I would like to call for cooperation from all members to not simply hurl accusations which can hurt the feelings of other members," he said.Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said the Dewan Rakyat speaker had the right to issue a warning to Tajuddin for threatening a fellow MP.He said the speaker had the right to reprimand anyone who had gone overboard and was only doing his duty, without favour to any party.Meanwhile, Tajuddin when met, said he was ready for any action."It's not a contempt against him (Pandikar Amin) but it's not fair to censure me for no reason," he said.Tajuddin, who was not in the Dewan Rakyat when the warning was issued, said he could not accept the warning as he felt that he had done nothing wrong."I did not threaten (Kulasegaran). I warned him to watch his mouth. Democracy is not a licence for anyone to malign others," he said.Tajuddin said he had explained to Pandikar Amin what transpired on Thursday but was not told that he would be issued a warning.He added that there were many other members of the house who deserved similar warning.-- BERNAMA